Abdominal exerciser with electronic coaching device

ABSTRACT

An abdominal exercise apparatus includes a device that instructs and encourages a user. The apparatus comprises a slide member positioned in a channel of a body. The slide member has a user engagement end extending from the channel for engaging a targeted muscle area of the user. A resilient member biases the body and slide in one direction. Handles are attached to the body at opposing locations, and extend away from the body. The instructional device instructs users how to perform multiple phase abdominal exercises and provides motivation. The instructional device comprises a microprocessor, a sound creating mechanism, a visual display, and a user interface. The sound creating mechanism produces prerecorded instructions or motivation. The visual display includes lights to visually instruct the user of the proper amount of time for each phase of an exercise. The user interface allows for a user to select various exercise routines and levels.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a home exercise device. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a device for providingpersonal exercise instruction and coaching to a user of abdominalisometric exercise methods and equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physical exercise generally improves health and physical conditioning.The benefits of regular physical activity can be obtained throughseveral types of exercise. Each type of exercise includes at least oneof the four muscular phases. These muscular phases are isokinetic,isometric, concentric, and eccentric. The isokinetic muscular phase isachieved through quick repetitive motion, while the isometric muscularphase is achieved through the tightening and holding of these tightenedmuscles. The concentric muscular phase is achieved through the slowcontraction of muscles, while the eccentric muscular phase is achievedthrough the slow relaxation of the muscles under a load.

Exercise that use the isometric muscular phase (hereinafter referred toas “isometric exercise”) are effective for developing strength in aspecific muscle or group of muscles. Isometric exercises may be used forrehabilitation because of the ability to isolate the exact area ofmuscle weakness. Additionally, this type of exercise can provide afairly quick and convenient method for overloading and strengtheningmuscles with slight chance of injury and without the need for specialequipment.

The efficient development of the abdominal muscles of the human body isparticularly difficult. Because the abdominal muscles are not attachedto any joint, traditional joint movement exercises are ineffective.Exercises such as sit-ups or weight-loaded variations on sit-ups mayindirectly involve the abdominal muscles, but are inefficient becausemuch exercise energy is dissipated in the joints and muscles attached tothe joints, such as hip flexors. The use of isometric exercises on theabdominal region has the result of isolating the abdominal muscles,thereby allowing the proper muscles to be overloaded and strengthened.

However, for any isometric exercise to yield the proper results, it mustbe performed properly. The exercise must focus on the proper muscle andthe proper muscle must be contracted, held contracted and relaxed forthe proper time intervals. If the exercise is performed on the wrongmuscle group, the targeted group will receive no overloading, and thuswill not strengthen. If the exercise is performed on the correct musclegroup, but for incorrect time intervals, the targeted muscle group willnot undergo the proper overloading required to strengthen.

The majority of people who exercise are unaware of the proper methods ofisometric exercise. During the exertion of exercising, even those whoare aware of the proper method and timing often fail to follow it. Thus,there is a need for instruction with regard to the performance ofisometric exercises, particularly there is a need for instruction as tohow long to contract the muscles, hold the muscles in a contractedstate, and relax the muscles.

Additionally, during any exercise routine, the user often has a need formotivation and encouragement. As with any exercise, the exertions ofeach movement gradually become more and more difficult, typicallycausing the user to need motivation or encouragement to finish. It isgenerally accepted that the majority of muscle overloading and growthhappens in the last few repetitions of an exercise, and these aretypically the repetitions that, without motivation or encouragement, theuser will forego. Since the movement and actions are the same for eachexercise repetition, the user may also become bored, and may thereforeneed motivation or encouragement to finish the proper number ofrepetitions while performing them correctly.

This need for motivation or encouragement is often solved by usersjoining a fitness club or gymnasium. Fitness clubs and gymnasiums oftenoffer what are known as “personal trainers,” who offer exerciseinstruction as well as motivation and encouragement. However, there areseveral drawbacks to personal trainers, as well as fitness clubs andgymnasiums. First, joining a fitness club or gymnasium generally costs asignificant amount of money. Obtaining the instruction and motivation ofa personal trainer can often cost the user even more. Second, the timerequired to go to a fitness club or gymnasium and exercise often exceedsthe time available to people to exercise. Third, having to travel to adifferent area in order to exercise can be quite inconvenient, dependingon the location of the fitness club or gymnasium.

Some of these drawbacks are solved by using home exercise equipment.Such home equipment may be relatively inexpensive, and the user canexercise when he or she has time and when it is convenient. However, themajority of home exercise products do not offer the user the instructionor motivation that can be found at a fitness club or gymnasium. Suchhome exercise equipment may include instructional videos or digitalvideo discs, but such aids are inconvenient in that they are separatefrom the exercise device. This separation often leads to the userforegoing use of the instructional video or digital video disc.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a home abdominal isometricexercise device that has a component which provides active instructionand motivation to the user. There is also a need for such an exerciseinstruction component that visually and/or audibly guides the userthrough different multiple muscular phases of an exercise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Responsive to the forgoing challenges, Applicant has developed aninnovative device and method for electronically coaching a user of anexercise apparatus that a user operates to perform an exercise activityhaving multiple muscular phases. The method generally comprises:determining that the exercise activity should be performed according toa first muscular phase; providing a user perceptible output to promptthe user to operate the exercise device according to the first muscularphase; determining that the exercise activity should be performedaccording to a second muscular phase that differs from the firstmuscular phase; and providing a second user perceptible output differentfrom the first user perceptible output, to prompt the user to operatethe exercise device according to the second muscular phase. Inalternative embodiments, the method may further comprise determiningthat the exercise activity should be performed according to a thirdmuscular phase that differs from the first and second muscular phases,and providing a third user perceptible output that different from thefirst and second perceptible outputs, to prompt the user to operate theexercise device according to the third muscular phase.

The instructional device, which can be referred to as an “electroniccoach,” may be programmed to instruct users as to the optimal way toperform multiple muscular phase abdominal exercises, as well as providemotivation during the exercise. The electronic coach includes a visualdisplay and an audio output. The audio output may be used to producepre-recorded words or sentences in order to instruct and motivate theuser. The visual display provides a user interface that guides the userthrough the exercise. In one embodiment, the user interface includes aplurality of lights, in order to visually instruct the user of theproper amount of time for each portion of an exercise. The userinterface may also allow a user to select various exercise routines andlevels, as well as allow the exercise routine to be paused or cancelled.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to assist in the understanding of the invention, reference willnow be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference charactersrefer to like elements. The drawings are exemplary only, and should notbe construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exercise device including anelectronic coach device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the exercise device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a plane view of an embodiment of an electronic coach device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a locking device to attach the electroniccoach device to an exercise device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an exercise device withan electronic coach device mounted thereon in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electroniccoach device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electroniccoaching functionality in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an electroniccoach device and exercise device with a magnetic proximity sensorsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a first embodiment of thepresent invention, an example of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A depicts an exercise apparatus 20 that electronic coach 10 may beused with in accordance one embodiment of the present invention. Theexercise apparatus comprises a generally rectangular body 22 forming ayoke that connects a pair of handles 24 and 26. The handles arepositioned on opposing locations of the yoke and extend away from theyoke at angles with the X axis and Y axis. A slide member 30 is slidablyheld in a channel 28 that extends through the center of the yoke in adirection perpendicular to the X axis. The slide reciprocates back andforth in a longitudinal direction in the channel. A base 32 isdetachably connected at a user engagement end 34 of the slide. The userengagement end extends out of the channel to engage a targeted musclearea. The base has a user engagement surface 36, which is sized toprovide a large contact area with a user's body to increase stabilityand reduce the pressure in the contact area. The engagement surface mayalso be provided with a foam pad to cushion the contact area.

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of the exercise apparatus. Asindicated, the opposite end of slide 30 is a resilient member engagementend 40, that engages a median portion of a resilient member, such as anelastic cord 42. The extremities 44 and 46 of elastic cord 42 each havean aperture 86 attached to one of a pair of anchoring posts 48 and 50that extend from the undersurface of the yoke on opposite sides ofchannel 28 and slide 30. The middle of elastic cord 42 wraps around theresilient member engagement end 40. This results in the elastic cord 42engaging both the body and slide to bias the slide toward the user. Asthe slide progresses into the channel away from the user, it stretchesthe elastic cord 42 which resiliently opposes the movement.

The yoke and handle assembly 22 is formed as an integral piece ofplastic including a bottom plate 68 and side walls 70, that form thechannel 28 to engage and guide the movement of the slide. The bodycomprises two opposing sides and the channel is located between thesides. Each handle is attached to only one side and is opposite theother handle. Reinforcing ribs 72 are utilized throughout the body andthe handles to ensure adequate strength and rigidity. Each of the twohandles 24 and 26 mark the end of wrist receiving areas 60 and 62, whichare bridged by arcuate wrist support strips 64 and 66. These wristsupport strips support the wrists of the user, providing comfort andsafety while additionally providing strength and stability to theapparatus.

The handles extend from the X axis at equal angles, with the magnitudeand direction of the angles selected such that the user's arms areplaced in a natural position while exercising to increase stability.With the handles angled, the user's elbows rest comfortably in a naturalposition besides the torso. To add further stability, the handles extendat least as high, and preferably above, the top of the body of thedevice.

The slide member includes at least one rectangular cavity 56 centrallypositioned in a lateral direction. The rectangular cavity 56 may bedisposed so as to receive a rectangular extrusion 145 on the electroniccoach 10. As seen in FIG. 3, the rectangular extrusion 145 includes abiased locking device 147, that prevents the electronic coach 10 fromsliding out of the exercise device 20. When the extrusion 145 isinserted into the rectangular cavity 56 on the slide, the user will beable to clearly see and hear the electronic coach throughout theexercise routine. This can be seen in FIG. 4, which depicts anelectronic coach 10 mounted on an exercise device 20 according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

The exercise apparatus 20 may be used to develop abdominal muscles. Auser assumes a seated position with forelegs substantially vertical.While keeping the spine in the erect position, the user holds theexercise apparatus 20 by the pair of handles 24 and 26 with the palmsup. The user places the base 32 against the abdomen. The user then pullsthe handles 24 and 26 towards the abdomen while tightening the abdominalmuscles and crunching, causing the slide 30 to move to move through theimmobilized yoke 22. This portion of the exercise is termed theconcentric portion. When the abdominal muscles are in a fully tightenedposition and the user has forced the slide 30 as far as possible, theposition is held. This portion of the exercise is termed the isometricportion. The user then slowly relaxes the abdominal muscles, allowingthe slide 30 to gradually return to its starting position. This portionof the exercise is termed the eccentric portion.

The electronic coach 10 aids the user in accomplishing this multiplemuscular phase exercise activity by determining that a first muscularphase, the concentric phase, should be performed, and providing a userperceptible output that prompts and instructs the user how to properlyperform this phase. The electronic coach 10 then determines that asecond muscular phase, the isometric phase, should be performed andprovides a second user perceptible output that is different than thefirst, that prompts and instructs the user how to properly perform thisphase. The electronic coach 10 may then determine that a third muscularphase, the eccentric phase, should be performed and will then provide athird user perceptible output that is different than the first andsecond that prompts and instructs the user how to properly perform thisphase. The electronic coach 10 instructs the user through both visualand audio outputs as to the proper timing and method of performing eachphase of the exercise activity.

FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic coach device 10 in more detail. Theelectronic coach device 10 includes a power switch 111, a volume control112, and at least one button. The at least one button may be of a typecommonly known in the art, and may include buttons corresponding to anintroduction 113, various exercise levels and routines 114 and 115, aswell as a start 116, a pause 117, and a cancel 118 button.

The electronic coach device 10 provides audio and visual outputs thatguide the user of the exercise apparatus through the exercise. Speaker119 may be located in the upper left corner of the electronic coach 10and is of a type well known in the art. The speaker 119 outputs verbalcommands and sounds at the appropriate times to instruct the userthrough the multiple phases of the exercise.

A plurality of lights 311 are arranged such that they form a graphicalrepresentation to the user of the proper timing for each exercise in theroutine. In one embodiment of the present invention, the lights 311 arearranged in an arc 320 including a first segment 321 and a secondsegment 322 separated by an apex location 333. The lights in the firstsegment 321 of the arc may represent the concentric portion of theexercise, a single light in the apex location 323 may represent theisometric portion of the exercise, and lights in the second segment 322of the arc represent the eccentric portion of the exercise.Additionally, the concentric lights in the first segment 321 may be ofone color, the isometric light at the apex location 323 of anothercolor, and the eccentric lights in the second segment 322 of a thirdcolor. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lights inthe first segment 321 will light in a consecutive cascading sequence toillustrate the concentric portion. These lights will then turn off whenthe concentric phase is complete, and then the single light at the apexlocation 323 illustrating the isometric portion is lit. This light willturn off when the isometric phase is complete, and the lights in thesecond segment 322 representing the eccentric portion are lit in aconsecutive cascading sequence.

The display screen 350 is a conventional liquid crystal display (LCD).The display screen 350 is partitioned into three sections 351, 352, and353 respectively, that display to the user the number of repetitionsperformed, the number of sets performed, and the amount of time that haselapsed during the exercise routine, respectively. The display is madeusing conventional numeric characters.

Although the lights 311 and display screen 350 are respectively shown toimplement LEDs and an LCD display, various alternatives may be provided.For example, an LCD display may be used to provide the visual featuresof both the lights 311 and the display screen 350. Alternatively, LEDs,LCDs, or any other display type may be used for all or part of thevisual features of the electronic coach 10.

The electronic coach 10 functions as follows. When the power switch 111is turned to an “On” position, the user will be greeted by the Welcometrack and instructed to press the “Start” button 116. When the “Start”button 116 is pressed, the electronic coach 10 may give the user theoption of either pressing the “Introduction” button 113 or starting anexercise routine. If the “Introduction” button 113 is pressed, theelectronic coach 10 will instruct the user on how to correctly performthe exercise, as well as how to use the electronic coach 10 and read thevisual output device 504 by playing the Introduction track.

After the introduction is given, or if the user decides to skip theintroduction, the user is instructed to select an exercise routine. Suchroutines may include a “Beginner” or an “Intermediate-Advanced” routine.When the user selects either of these routines 114 and 115 respectively,the electronic coach 10 will instruct the user when to pull the handles24 and 26 (for the concentric phase of the abdominal exercise), when tohold the muscles in a contracted position (the isometric phase), andwhen to release them. It also visually and audibly guides the user toperform each phase of the exercise for the appropriate amount of time,the appropriate number of repetitions, and the appropriate number ofsets of repetitions.

The block diagram of FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an electroniccoach 100 to include a user input interface 502, visual output interface504, audible output interface 506, processor 508, and memory 510. Theuser input interface 502 receives user input through the above describedbuttons. The visual output interface 504 connects to and providesappropriate signals to the visual displays provided by the electroniccoach 100, such as provided via the above described lights and LCDdisplay. The audible output interface 506 connects to and providesappropriate signals to the audio output device (e.g. speakers) of theelectronic coach 10.

The electronic coach 10 is arranged to respond to user input and provideappropriate output according to instructions that are stored in a memory510 and executed by a processor 508. More specifically, the memory 510includes an electronic coaching module 512 for providing theseinstructions and the corresponding functionality. The electroniccoaching module 512 is preferably provided as software, but canalternatively be provided as hardware or firmware, or any combination ofsoftware, hardware and firmware.

The electronic coaching module 512 further includes a configurationsettings module 514, a phase determination module 516, a visual coachingmodule 518, and an audio coaching module 520. The configuration settingsmodule 514 communicates with the user input interface 502. It determinesand retains the type of user input received (“Introduction”, “Beginner”,“Intermediate Advanced” etc.), and also provides corresponding basicfunctionality such as presentation of the introduction sequence wheresuch is requested.

The phase determination module 516 determines whether the exerciseactivity should be performed according to one or more particularmuscular phases (e.g., concentric, isometric and eccentric). It alsocommunicates such determined phases to the visual coaching module 518and the audio coaching module 520, which causes them to provideparticular visual and audio outputs that are intended to instruct andprompt the user to operate the exercise apparatus correctly, accordingto the determined muscular phases. In one embodiment, the phasedetermination module 516 implements a timer to determine thecommencement and conclusion of the muscular phases. The phasedetermination module 516 further communicates with the configurationsettings module 514 to determine the operational mode, and includesinstructions that determine the number of sets and repetitions withineach set are to be performed, with appropriate determination of muscularphases during the course of an exercise activity.

The visual coaching module 518 produces signals that control the displayelements of the electronic coach 10 through the visual output interface504. In one embodiment, the visual coaching module 518 includes softwarebased instructions that cause the signals to be produced for anappropriate amount of time (e.g., 2-8 seconds) after initial indicationthat a particular muscular phase has commenced. Conventional signals fordriving the LED and LCD displays may be used to accommodate the drivingof the displays.

The audio coaching module 520 similarly produces signals that controlthe audio output elements of the electronic coach 10 through the audibleoutput interface 506. Again, the audio coaching module 520 may includesoftware that causes an audio output to commence and proceed for anappropriate amount of time after indication that a particular muscularphase has commenced. The audio output signals may be stored as .wavfiles or files in other conventional formats.

The flow diagram of FIG. 6 illustrates a process 600 for coaching a userof an exercise apparatus, such as performed according to theinstructions in the electronic coaching module (512). As described, theuser selects an operational mode such as “Beginner” or “IntermediateAdvanced.” Other selections may also be made, includes a three optionsselection offering “Beginner”, “Intermediate”, and “Advanced”, orvarious other numbers and types of options.

In step 602, the operational mode is determined and then the appropriatenumber of sets and repetitions are loaded so that the coaching cansequence through the appropriate number of sets and repetitions(typically the same number each set, but alternatively a varying number)to be performed. The number of sets and repetitions are retained inassociation with variable names such as “SetLimit” and “Replimit.” Thesecan of course be arrays, such as where the number of repetitions varies.During the course of the instructions, counters determine the number ofsets and repetitions that have been performed (e.g., “SetCount” and“RepCount”). These counters are reset to zero at the commencement of theexercise program. Upon determination 604 that the number of sets has notbeen completed (i.e., SetCount is not greater than SetLimit), the countof the number of sets is incremented 604. Since the number of reps isalso initialized, it is determined 608 that the count is under thelimit, the rep count is incremented 610, and then output for the firstphase of the exercise is provided 614. Preferably, the current set andrep numbers are caused to be displayed by the electronic coach in thepreviously introduced display locations.

In one embodiment, the first phase of exercise is the concentric phase.Accordingly, visual and audio output signals appropriate for theconcentric phase are provided. More specifically, as previouslydescribed this display may be the sequential lighting of LEDs along afirst arc segment visually corresponding to the concentric phase of theexercise. Similarly, appropriate audio commands are played during thisphase, such as “Pull slowly, move your shoulders forward whilecrunching.”

The concentric phase output is provided 614 until it is determined 616that the concentric phase has been completed, which is preferably 2-8seconds after commencement of the phase.

Upon completion of the concentric phase, output for the isometric phaseis commenced 618. Again, visual and audio output signals appropriate forthe isometric phase are provided, such as lighting of an LED at the apexof the arc, and instructions such as “Hold it, and tighten those abs!”This output is provided 618 until it is determined 620 that theisometric phase is completed, which is preferably 2-8 seconds aftercommencement of the isometric phase.

The eccentric phase then commences and appropriate output for that phaseis provided 622, until it is determined 624 that it too has beencompleted, again preferably 2-8 seconds after commencement. Here,lighting of the second arc segment and audio instructions such as “Now,release slowly and tighten those abs!” are caused to be output to theuser through the electronic coaching device.

The sequence of providing concentric 614, isometric 616 and eccentric618 visual and audio outputs continues until it is determined 608 thatthe number of reps has been completed (RepCount>RepLimit) and it isdetermined 604 that the last set has been completed (SetCount>SetLimit),upon which the phase based instructions terminate. Output appropriatefor the conclusion of the exercise session, such as encouraging andcongratulatory words, and other helpful comments, such as daily diet andhealth advice, can then be provided to the user if desired.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 7,the electronic coach 10 may include a magnetic proximity sensor 700 thatsenses a magnet 750 mounted on the exercise device 20. In thisembodiment, the electronic coach 10 may determine when the routine hasbegun, as well as the length of time the user takes to accomplish eachphase. If the length of time that it takes the user to accomplish eachphase does not fall within allowable or preferred limits, the electroniccoach 10 may inform the user that the particular phase(s) of theexercise should be sped up or slowed down. Such information may beprovided during the course of exercise or by reporting the results aftercompletion. Additionally, the audio and/or visual information may adjustbased upon the detection of the amount of time against the preferredrange. Thus, for example, audio may instruct the user to speed up orslow down during one or more phases, and video may similarly prompt thesame, such as by supplementing the existing visual display or alteringthe colors of the existing visual display.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the construction,configuration, and/or operation of the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention.

1. For use with an exercise apparatus that a user operates to perform anexercise activity having multiple muscular phases, a method for coachingthe user with an electronic coaching device, the method comprising:determining that the exercise activity should be performed according toa first muscular phase; providing a first user perceptible output fromthe coaching device to prompt the user to operate the exercise apparatusaccording to the first muscular phase; determining that the exerciseactivity should be performed according to a second muscular phase thatdiffers from the first muscular phase; and providing a second userperceptible output from the coaching device to prompt the user tooperate the exercise apparatus according to the second muscular phase,wherein the second user perceptible output differs from the first userperceptible output.